Acute Appendicitis

Acute appendicitis still is a cause of considerable morbidity and now and then of death. The diagnostic accuracy in 316 patients operated on for acute appendicitis at Holy Cross Hospital was 76 per cent. In 24 of 239 cases of proved acute appendicitis, perforation had occurred, and the morbidity in those cases was three times that in the cases without perforation. Review of the cases did not reveal any clear-cut diagnostic criteria that might be used to predict perforation.A study of 30 patients with mesenteric lymphadenitis who were inadvertently operated on in the belief they had appendicitis, revealed that this condition is most likely to occur in young females with only a slight increase in the number of leukocytes. Although positive diagnosis of acute appendicitis is a difficult problem, the morbidity associated with needless operation is so much less than that which occurs in acute perforated appendicitis, that prompt exploration in any questionable case seems warranted.     

血清降钙素原检测在老年人急性阑尾炎中的临床价值

目的:探讨降钙素原(PCT)的检测在老年人急性阑尾炎诊断中的价值。方法:检测96例在我院进行阑尾切除术的急性阑尾炎和误诊为急性阑尾炎的老年患者以及20例健康体检者血清PCT水平。结果:急性坏疽性阑尾炎及急性化脓性阑尾炎患者术前血清PCT值均较健康对照、阑尾无炎症及急性单纯性阑尾炎患者明显升高(P<0.01);而急性单纯性阑尾炎、阑尾无炎症患者与健康对照三者之间无明显差异(P>0.05);阑尾切除术后血清PCT值呈逐渐下降趋势(P<0.01)。结论:在临床症状及白细胞计数升高、BUS帮助的基础上,结合血清PCT的测定对老年人急性阑尾炎的诊断具有一定价值。     

Acute appendicitis in a chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)

BACKGROUND: A 7-year old, female chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) developed acute abdominal pain and anorexia. An irregular, mineral opacity was identified in the caudal right quadrant of the abdomen on radiographs and computed tomography scan, which appeared to be in the region of the cecal appendage. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A diagnosis of acute appendicitis was made based on clinical signs, abnormal haematology findings, and consultation with a human radiologist. Exploratory laparotomy was performed and the cecal appendage was removed. On histologic examination, the mucosal epithelium contained eosinophilic and neutrophilic inflammation. The inflammation extended through the tunica muscularis to the serosal surface and adjacent mesentery. The histologic findings were consistent with acute appendicitis in humans. The chimpanzee recovered well from surgery with immediate improvement in clinical signs and no post-operative complications.     

肥胖病人急性阑尾炎腹腔镜手术与开腹手术临床效果比较分析

目的分析对肥胖急性阑尾炎病人实施腹腔镜阑尾切除与开腹阑尾切除的临床治疗效果。方法回顾性分析我院2007年1月至2011年12月期间腹腔镜阑尾切除与开腹阑尾切除相关资料。结果实施腹腔镜阑尾切除手术病人的总体并发症发生率与致死率均较低,住院时间较短,住院费用较少,两种方法相比差异显著,具有统计学意义。结论对于肥胖病人实施腹腔镜阑尾切除手术比实施开腹阑尾切除手术更为安全可靠,疗效更好,不论阑尾炎是否穿孔,腹腔镜阑尾切除手术应作为首选方法。     

Acute appendicitis in nine British towns.

The incidence of acute appendicitis was compared among residents in nine towns in England and Wales, the towns having been chosen so that three were in the north, three in the central latitude band, and three in the south. Each group of three towns comprised one with "better,'' one with "intermediate,'' and one with "worse'' socioeconomic conditions. The data were derived from hospital records for the years 1974-7. Hospital discharge rates for acute appendicitis were higher in the three northern towns in both sexes and all age groups. There was no consistent variation with the socioeconomic state of the towns. The distribution of appendicitis in the nine towns differed from that of other "diseases of Western civilisation'' and so weighs against the hypothesis of similar dietary influences in the aetiology of acute appendicitis and these other diseases. These findings are being followed up by dietary surveys in the towns.     

腹腔镜阑尾切除术与开腹阑尾切除术治疗急性阑尾炎的疗效比较

目的:比较腹腔镜阑尾切除术和开腹阑尾切除术治疗急性阑尾炎的临床疗效。方法:选取2012年3月-2014年3月我院收治的急性阑尾炎患者127例,按照随机数字表法分为两组,观察组63例行腹腔镜阑尾切除手术,对照组64例行开腹阑尾切除手术,比较两组的手术效果及术后并发症情况。结果:两组的手术时间差异无统计学意义(P0.05),观察组术中出血量、肛门排气时间及住院时间均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组治疗后VAS评分较治疗前有不同程度的降低,且观察组低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。观察组切口感染、肠梗阻以及腹腔脓肿发生率均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),而两组腹腔内出血、阑尾残端瘘的发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:腹腔镜阑尾切除术治疗急性阑尾炎具有手术效果好、预后快及术后并发症少等特点,值得临床推广使用。     

Water permeability is a measure of severity in acute appendicitis

Acute appendicitis is the most common indication for pediatric abdominal emergency surgery. Determination of the severity of appendicitis on clinical grounds is challenging. Complicated appendicitis presenting with perforation, abscess or diffuse peritonitis is not uncommon. The question remains why and when acute appendicitis progresses to perforation. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of water permeability on the severity of appendicitis. We show that AQP1 expression and water permeability in appendicitis correlate with the stage of inflammation and systemic infection parameters, leading eventually to perforation of the appendix. AQP1 is also expressed within the ganglia of the enteric nervous system and ganglia count increases with inflammation. Severity of appendicitis can be correlated with water permeability measured by AQP1 protein expression and increase of ganglia count in a progressive manner. This introduces the question if regulation of water permeability can present novel curative or ameliorating therapeutic options.     

Acute appendicitis,bathrooms, and diet in Britain and Ireland

Hospital discharge rates after acute appendicitis were analysed in relation to the provision of household amenities and diet in 73 areas of England and Wales, nine health board areas in Scotland, and all eight health board areas of Eire. The rates of acute appendicitis correlated with the percentage of households lacking amenities, in particular fixed baths and hot water systems. Consumption of green vegetables was an additional influence on the geographical distribution of the disease.These findings support a relation between appendicitis and hygiene, which would explain both the rise and fall of the disease during this century.     

Analysis of scores in diagnosis of acute appendicitis in women

Acute appendicitis is a common surgical condition that requires prompt diagnosis. Besides modern imaging techniques, scoring systems, based on clinical signs and symptoms and routine laboratory assessments, have been used as a diagnostic aid. However, differences in sensitivities and specificities were observed if the scores were applied to various populations and clinical settings. The purpose of this paper is to assess validity of three scores (modified Alvarado score, Ohmann score and Eskelinen score) for diagnosis of acute appendicitis in women. 126 female patients admitted for suspicion of acute appendicitis in a tertiary hospital emergency department were analyzed prospectively. Modified Alvarado score, Ohmann score and Eskelinen score were calculated at admission and compared to final diagnosis. All patients with modified Alvarado score 7 or more had acute appendicitis (100% specificity) and it can be used to determine the need for immediate appendectomy. Values of Ohmann score greater than 6 resulted in 0.9% rate of overlooked appendicitis. Besides obvious educational role, scores may help to determine the group of patients who require immediate appendectomy, therefore expediting treatment and avoid unnecessary observation or more lengthy diagnostic procedures that require highly educated and skilled senior staff: No single score may be used alone to dictate or decline surgery. Different cut-off points may also be considered for different subpopulations.     

妊娠合并急腹症的超声诊断-附686例临床病例分析

目的:评价超声在诊断妊娠合并急腹症中的临床应用价值。方法:回顾分析686例妊娠合并急腹症患者的临床资料,总结妊娠合并急腹症超声图像特征。结果:超声诊断符合率为:异位妊娠87.2%(184/211),急性阑尾炎84.2%(32/39),卵巢囊肿蒂扭转90.0%(27/30),急性胰腺炎66.7%(6/9),不全流产及难免流产、子宫肌瘤扭转、子宫肌瘤红色变性、胎盘早剥、泌尿系结石、急性胆囊炎和胆结石、急性胃肠炎、急性肠梗阻的诊断率为100%(43/43)。结论:超声可以作为妊娠合并急腹症首选的检查手段,为临床早期诊断及治疗提供可靠依据。     

妊娠合并急腹症的超声诊断-附686例临床病例分析

目的：评价超声在诊断妊娠合并急腹症中的临床应用价值。方法：回顾分析686例妊娠合并急腹症患者的临床资料,总结妊娠合并急腹症超声图像特征。结果：超声诊断符合率为：异位妊娠87.2%（184/211）,急性阑尾炎84.2%（32/39）,卵巢囊肿蒂扭转90.0%（27/30）,急性胰腺炎66.7%（6/9）,不全流产及难免流产、子宫肌瘤扭转、子宫肌瘤红色变性、胎盘早剥、泌尿系结石、急性胆囊炎和胆结石、急性胃肠炎、急性肠梗阻的诊断率为100%（43/43）。结论：超声可以作为妊娠合并急腹症首选的检查手段,为临床早期诊断及治疗提供可靠依据。     

多层螺旋CT在诊断小儿急性阑尾炎中的应用

目的:探讨多层螺旋CT对小儿急性阑尾炎的诊断价值。方法:回顾分析经临床手术病理证实的53例小儿急性阑尾炎的CT表现特点。所有患儿均行多排CT横断面扫描及MPVR重建。结果:53例中,单纯性阑尾炎2例;急性化脓性阑尾炎伴周围炎4例,其中1例合并紫癜;急性化脓性阑尾炎伴穿孔33例,其中1例合并回肠末端美克尔憩室;坏疽性阑尾炎伴穿孔6例;阑尾脓肿8例。CT平扫以及MPVR重建显示阑尾肿大、增粗(直径大于6mm)30例,阑尾内粪石27例,阑尾周围蜂窝织炎23例,阑尾周围脓肿8例,大量腹水6例。结论:多层螺旋CT扫描及重建技术能为小儿阑尾炎的诊断提供有力依据,提高临床术前诊断能力。     

急性单纯性阑尾炎住院临床路径遵循情况分析

利用2010年全国城镇基本医疗保险参保住院患者医疗服务利用调查数据,对急性单纯性阑尾炎住院手术患者临床诊疗措施的实际使用情况与该病的标准临床路径进行对比分析。平均住院日比临床路径要求的7天约高出1天,其中41.9%手术病例住院天数超出了标准住院日;约47.5%患者未在入院当天急诊手术;18个平均使用率在40%以上的检查项目中,有7个项目不在临床路径规定范围内;99.8%病例在手术中使用过全身抗感染类药,且67%的患者同时使用了2种及2种以上抗菌素。急性单纯性阑尾炎的实际诊疗措施和标准临床路径存在着较大的差异,住院流程有待于进一步优化,住院检查检验项目和抗菌药物的使用需要制订更为细致且可操作的指导原则,并强化监管。     

腹腔镜手术治疗急性阑尾炎的临床疗效及对血清PCT和CRP水平的影响

目的:探讨腹腔镜手术治疗急性阑尾炎的临床疗效以及对患者血清降钙素原(PCT)和C反应蛋白(CRP)水平的影响。方法:选择2014年9月至2015年9月期间我院收治的急性阑尾炎患者80例为研究对象,采用随机数字表法将患者分为对照组(n=40)和观察组(n=40),观察组行腹腔镜手术治疗,对照组行开腹手术治疗,对比两组患者的疗效、并发症、围手术期外周血PCT、CRP的变化情况。结果:观察组患者术中出血量、术后首次肛门排气时间以及住院时间均明显少于对照组(P0.05);观察组患者术后总并发症发生率明显低于对照组(P0.05);术后第1 d,两组患者的血清PCT、CRP水平相比术前均有明显升高(P0.05);术后第3 d,观察组血清PCT、CRP水平则与术前无明显差异(P0.05),而对照组则仍明显高于术前水平(P0.05);术后第5 d,观察组血清PCT、CRP水平明显低于术前(P0.05),而对照组与术前相比无统计学意义(P0.05)。观察组术后第1、3、5 d的血清PCT、CRP水平均明显低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:相比开腹手术,腹腔镜手术治疗急性阑尾炎患者疗效显著,能有效控制血清PCT、CRP水平,有利患者及早康复。     

小切口阑尾切除术治疗急性阑尾炎临床疗效研究

目的:探讨小切口阑尾切除术治疗急性阑尾炎的临床疗效.方法:将我院2009年2月～2011年9月期间收治的120例急性阑尾炎患者随机分为对照组和观察组,每组60例.其中对照组在硬膜外麻醉后采用传统阑尾切除术进行治疗,观察组在连续硬膜外麻醉后采取小切口阑尾切除术进行治疗.对比两组手术时间、住院时间、切口感染发生率及不良反应发生情况.结果:两组患者临床治疗情况比较,观察组切口长度、住院时间短于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).手术时间比较无明显差异,无统计学意义.两组术后切口感染及并发症情况对比,对照组伤口感染3例、肺部感染1例、切口裂开1例、尿路感染1例、切口疝2例、肠粘连2例、肠梗阻3例;并发症发生率21.67％;观察组伤口感染4例,并发症发生率6.67％.两组比较观察组优于对照组,差异明显具有统计学意义.结论:小切口阑尾切除术具有损伤小、术后恢复快、不良反应少、住院时间短等特点,根据临床病情合理应用能够得到更好的临床效果.     

The Use of Delta Neutrophil Index and Myeloperoxidase Index for Predicting Acute Complicated Appendicitis in Children

Background

In children with acute appendicitis, 30% to 75% present with a complication, such as perforation, and the early diagnosis of complications is known to improve outcomes. Serum delta neutrophil index (DNI) and myeloperoxidase index (MPXI) are new inflammatory markers, and thus, in the present study, the authors evaluated the predictive values of these two markers for the presence of a complication in children with acute appendicitis.

Methods

This retrospective observational study was conducted on 105 consecutive children (<12 years old) with acute appendicitis treated over a 31-month period. DNI, MPXI, C-reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cells (WBCs) were measured in an emergency department and investigated with respect to their abilities to predict the presence of acute complicated appendicitis.

Results

Twenty-nine of the 105 patients (median age, 9 years) were allocated to the complicated group (27.6%) and 76 to the non-complicated group (72.4%). Median serum DNI and CRP were significantly higher in the complicated group [0% vs. 2.2%, p<0.001 and 0.65 mg/dL vs. 8.0 mg/dL, p<0.001], but median MPXI was not (p = 0.316). Area under curve (AUC) for the ability of serum DNI and CRP to predict the presence of acute complicated appendicitis were 0.738 and 0.840, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed initial CRP [odds ratio 1.301, 95% confidence interval (1.092–1.549), p = 0.003] significantly predicted the presence of a complication. The optimal cutoff for serum CRP was 4.0 mg/dL (sensitivity 69%, specificity 83%, AUC 0.840).

Conclusions

Although serum DNI values were significantly higher in children with acute complicated appendicitis, no evidence was obtained to support the notion that serum DNI or serum MPXI aid the differentiation of acute complicated and non-complicated appendicitis in the ED setting.     

腹腔镜手术治疗不同类型急性阑尾炎的临床效果分析

目的：探讨并分析腹腔镜手术应用于普外科治疗不同类型急性阑尾炎的临床效果。方法：选取2011年至2012年在我院接受急性阑尾炎手术的患者150例,并随机分为观察组和对照组。观察组行腹腔镜手术治疗急性阑尾炎;对照组行阑尾切除术。观察并比较两组患者围术期相关指标。结果：与对照组相比,观察组中患者的各项指标均优于对照组。采用腹腔镜手术治疗急性阑尾炎的患者术中出血量少,手术时间短,术后恢复快,并发症的发生率低,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论：腹腔镜手术具有手术持续时间短、创伤面积小以及术后恢复快等优势。对不同类型急性阑尾炎的治疗效果显著,值得推广。     

Rectal examination in patients with pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen.

OBJECTIVE--To determine whether rectal examination provides any diagnostic information in patients admitted to hospital with pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. DESIGN--Casualty officer or surgical registrar recorded symptoms and signs on admission on detailed forms. Final diagnosis was noted on discharge from hospital. SETTING--District general hospital. PATIENTS--1204 Consecutive patients admitted to hospital with pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen as their major complaint; 1028 had a rectal examination on admission. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Odds ratio for each symptom and sign related to final diagnosis. Results of multiple logistic regression analysis for acute appendicitis. RESULTS--Right sided rectal tenderness, present in 309 of those examined, was more common in patients with acute appendicitis (odds ratio 1.34, p less than 0.05). This odds ratio was considerably less than that for other clinical signs--namely, tenderness in the right lower quadrant (odds ratio 5.09), rebound tenderness (3.34), guarding (3.07), and muscular rigidity in the abdomen (5.03). In the logistic regression analysis of patients with acute appendicitis, when allowance was made for the presence or absence of rebound tenderness, rectal tenderness on the right lost its significance. Six patients had masses palpable rectally, of which three were palpable on abdominal examination; the other three patients had acute appendicitis. No other unexpected diagnoses were established, and no useful additional diagnostic information was obtained by routine rectal examination. CONCLUSION--If patients presenting with pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen are tested for rebound tenderness then rectal examination does not give any further diagnostic information.     

Clinical analysis of the related factors in acute appendicitis

BACKGROUND: In order to determine reliable clues for early diagnosis of acute appendicitis, this study was conducted to examine the related factors in patients with clinically suspected acute appendicitis. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 282 patients with the clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis at China Medical College Hospital in Taiwan from January to December 2000. To study the significant related factors of acute appendicitis, the t-test, chi-square analysis, and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used. RESULTS: There were 153 males (54.3 percent) and 129 females (45.7 percent). The mean age was 30.3+/-17.4 years (range 1 to 81). The diagnostic rate of acute appendicitis was 86.2 percent. If the combination of elevated C-reactive protein, leukocytosis and elevated neutrophil ratio was used, satisfactory specificity and positive predictive value were achieved in diagnosing acute appendicitis. After controlling for the other covariates, the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the significant related factors of acute appendicitis were male sex (odds ratio = 3.4; 95 percent confidence interval = 1.6 to 7.3; p <0.01) and elevated neutrophil ratio (odds ratio = 4.6; 95 percent confidence interval = 2.0 to 10.6; p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: If an elevated neutrophil ratio was observed, the probability of acute appendicitis was increased in patients with clinically suspected acute appendicitis. Thus, neutrophil ratio appears to be a good parameter for diagnosis of acute appendicitis in primary healthcare settings.     

Acute appendicitis and bathrooms in three samples of British children

The occurrence of appendicectomy in three national samples of British children was analysed in relation to household amenities, crowding in the home, and social class. The risk of having the operation depended on the amenities present in the home, in particular whether or not there was a bathroom. This risk was independent of social class.The findings support a relation between acute appendicitis and Western hygiene, which would explain the geographical distribution of the disease and its changing incidence over time. In the developing world, where children grow up in conditions of poor hygiene, there may be outbreaks of appendicitis when housing improves.